The Dish: Wine tasting edition

By Hilary Trought Morris & Kirsten Yard, For The Trentonian

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

A few weeks ago you may have seen our glowing faces on The Dish fan page posted from a wine tasting in East Brunswick. Since we don’t get the chance to get together in person all that much, this was something we both would enjoy and could use for our column!

The fundraiser was for St. Bart’s Columbiettes church in East Brunswick and the theme was “Which Wine was Witch?” (cute Halloween touch right?) It featured over 150 wines, beer and spirits and an abundance of food. Side note: Usually when you see an invite says that there will be food, it really just means a few trays of veggies, crackers and maybe some meat, but there was a TON of food provided by the congregation. It’s obviously not safe to drink on an empty stomach and there was no chance of that happening! We had plenty to enjoy during our brief stay.

The stations were numbered but we let our eyes and wine preference lead the way. Our first stop was at a flavored vodka table and that definitely set the stage for a good night!

Below is a list of the wines & spirits we tasted, including average price, tasting notes from the web (either the distributor’s site or Wine Enthusiast) and some of our own thoughts. As you can see red wine won out in terms of preference but we enjoyed them all…in small doses of course! Most are available at larger retailers; you will need to call ahead to your favorite local shop to see if they carry any of the brands.

In general you’re going to know how vodka flavors like raspberry and lime are going to taste but it’s hard to say with these new dessert flavors. I’ve been curious but haven’t wanted to buy an entire bottle only to get home and be disappointed. All I can say here is those who say you can’t have your cake and it too can now revise the statement to “you can have your cake AND drink it too.” It was delicious and soothing just as Kir said about the Chocolate Cake. The website has recipes to play around with or I would suggest just having it on the rocks—with some food of course because it’s strong!

Big, yet creamy in texture and refined, with plenty of silky tannins to frame the superripe black cherry fruit. Just lacks a little complexity, but still a very good, juicy mouthful of fruit and oak. Drink now–2013

Garnet in color, the wine offers complex aromas of cassis, mocha spice, black cherry and fresh herbs in a broad, generous framework. Its flavors follow the aromas and include tones of cedar and spice. Even in its youth, it is lush and approachable with moderate and well-integrated tannins.

Benefiting from California’s warm climate and long growing season, our Pinot Noir bursts with flavors of red berries and black cherries. A touch of spearmint complements the flavors and ends with a crisp and lingering finish.

A powerful and fine wine. Mature nose with mild tobacco and morelloflavours. In mouth,rich attack of ripe fruits, livened up by little fresh fruits liqueur (blackcurrant/raspberry ) aromas. The meltingoak tannins come all along with the wine in mouth. Fresh, complex (garrigue, coffee-roasting) and with a very long finish.

Soft, round fruit fills the mouth with ripe, juicy flavors. A long finish glides into flavors of ripe apples and lichee nuts.A wine to be enjoyed alone, as an apéritif, or with shellfish, fowl and light meals that include vegetarian dishes.

Mouth-watering white wine highlighted by crisp natural acidity and balanced by a touch of sweetness. Off-dry in style, this Riesling has an intoxicating perfume of pears and apricots, along with luscious flavors of white peaches, green apples, and a hint of pineapple.

This new 2012 release is a highly appealing lighter bodied wine, with a fine pinpoint mousse, bright nose redolent of Acacia flower, white peach, fragrant pears and just a hint of almond and mineral. Beautifully creamy; but with lively acidity keeping the flavors fresh, crisp and interesting. As always, it’s this creaminess that separates a good Prosecco from poorer thin and tart efforts and there is no doubt this is again a very serious effort. Tasted August 2012.

Carries a soft, sweet flavor, revealing hints of citrus and jasmine, and tantalizes with a refreshing Italian frizzant slightly sparkling tastes sensation. Pale straw yellow with elegant golden highlights. Delicate floral bouquet. Excellent on its own at any time of the day but its true characteristics are particularly enhanced when served with fresh fruit or with dry or creamy desserts. (via http://www.finewinehouse.com)

Light, crisp and perfect for every season. Our Leinenkugel’s Lemon Berry Shandy is Weiss beer brewed with blackberry juice and natural lemonade flavor. And the best part is this Shandy is available year round. So now every season is Shandy season.